BRANDS

The fifth watch that Bovet made for the distinguished design studio of exquisite cars, Pininfarina, bears the same name as the latest vehicle of the Italian company. The watch dubbed Sergio is a racing timepiece which is supplied with an automatic movement featuring an appropriate rattrapante chronograph function. It is made with Amedeo convertible steel housing that allows its transformation to a pocket or a table timepiece. The watch has a dial which clearly refers to the automotive origin of the timekeeper since it incorporates several motifs featured in the design of the car. The dial is available in four different colors. Bovet “Segio” Split-Seconds Chrnograph is launched in the limited edition of 250 copies and has the price tag of $32,725.

Bovet Sergio Split-Seconds Chronograph Watch

The Fifth Watch from Bovet for the Pininfarina Collection

Bovet’s collaboration with Pininfarina started off in 2010. Prior to the latest embodiment of this relationship, Bovet has made three tourbillions with the Pnifiranina name on it, as well as another chronograph which was launched in several different versions. The latest addition to Bovet by Pininfarina collection was inspired by the latest supercar of the Italian design studio. It is Sergio model, named after Sergio Pininfarina who has been the head of the Italian family-owned company for around four decades. Sergio, the newest sports vehicle by Pininfarina, was premiered last year at the Geneva Motor Show. It is an ultra-sporty supercar made with a Ferrari base. At the same time that the new vehicle was presented to the public, Sergio Pininfarina and Pascal Ruffy, the head of Bovet, agreed that this amazing racing car needed a horological tribute and that is how the idea for the commemorative watch with the same name came about.

Chronograph with Split Times Feature

The fact that the watch is inspired by a sports car is immediately visible in the design of the dial, as well as in the featured additional functions. Namely, Bovet’s newcomer is equipped with the split-second feature. This is a major complication which requires a lot of expertise and skill to create. More importantly, it is very useful for races, since it enables the wearer to time unlimited amount of intermediate times (in the maximal span of 30 minutes). Its “normal” chronograph feature is activated, stopped and reset in a traditional manner, with two respective push-pieces located around the crown. The crown itself is placed on an unorthodox position of 12 o’clock which is a feature characteristic for Amadeo type of cases. The third pusher which is used to activate the split second feature is thanks to the clever design put on the same axis as the crown so it would not disturb the timekeeper’s symmetry, which is a common problem of double chronographs.

Bovet Sergio Split-Seconds Chronograph Watch Dials

Apart from the split-seconds feature, the watch’s proprietary self-winding mechanical movement which is designed at the brand’s Dimier 1738 workshop also allows reading of the remaining storage in its 42 hour long power reserve. By the way, the caliber of the watch runs on the frequency of 28,800 vph, which allows its chrono feature to be precise within 1/8th of a second.

Dial Design that Evokes the Racing Car it Tributes

As it has been pointed out, the design of the dial with ruthenium treatment evokes the appearance of the car to which it is attributed. This is especially visible on four lowered segments which are made in distinctive shapes that resemble the ones seen on Sergio racing car. Moreover, the small seconds counter at the bottom and especially the chronograph’s 30-minute counters have the appearance of a sports car’s instruments. Two other segments on a lower plane than the rest of the dial (the one for the power reserve indication and a segment with the names of two brands) have an additional automotive motif, since they feature a host of micro-perforations which can be seen throughout the sports car it tributes. There are four options for the color of the dial of Bovet Sergio timekeeper. These are anthracite, black, silver and blue.

Pininfarina Sergio Car

Three in One: A Wristwatch, a Pocket Watch and a Table Clock

The next component in the construction of the watch is its Amadeo-type stainless steel housing. It possesses the brand’s trademarked construction that allows the conversion from a wristwatch to a table clock or to a pocket watch which is certainly a very cool feature. In this instance, the case is made with the usual diameter of 45 mm and with the thickness of 15.5 mm. Naturally, the front of the watch is guarded with a sapphire crystal which is, fortunately, likewise used on the rear side of the case. The supported water resistance measures to 30 meters. Bovet Sergio Split-Seconds Chronograph is coupled with a black rubber wristlet with leather lining which locks with a pin-buckle. The overall quality of the wristwatch with the automotive inspiration can be demonstrated with the fact that it has found its way to the shortlist for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneva 2014 in the Best Chronograph category.